Supporters and opponents of the proposed F-M diversion made their final pitches to a state Senate Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday.
The House put language in the state Water Commission budget bill that would prohibit Fargo from spending any money on diversion construction until federal money is secured. It would allow Fargo to build up its dikes to 42-and-a-half feet.
"It has been four years to get us to this point," said Cass County Commissioner Darrell Vanyo, the co-chair of the Diversion Authority. "We are now positioned to begin construction prior to the next Legislative session. Please allow the Diversion Authority to work through this project with local, state and federal partners, in the true sense of what a partnership can be -- a team effort toward a common goal. We truly need you."
Craig Hertsgaard is an upstream resident. He represents the Minn-Dak Coalition, which opposes the project.
"Our group does not oppose flood control for Fargo," Hertsgaard told the subcommittee. "We simply don't believe our communities should be pushed aside so Fargo can develop in the flood plain."
Hertzgaard says there are other options, including the diking project and upstream retention. But Vanyo says the diversion is still the best project to protect Fargo from a major flood.